Suspension....

[sv1000s]

Before I get shouted at I have searched!

I'm looking for the 'ultimate' suspension thread/sticky.

Is there such a thing?

Oh, the reason I ask is that the center stand is grinding when touring 2 up.

Thanks, Tim.

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

the center stand is grinding when touring 2 up.

Thanks, Tim.

Grinding what? The road surface?

 

[sv1000s]

Grinding what? The road surface?

Yes, on both sides, mainly on tight bends or roadabouts.

 

[David Lee]

Pleased with my Ohlins setup. Had it specced for a slightly stronger spring on the rear shock for 2 up touring and have no problems grounding the stands

 

[snerkler]

Yes, on both sides, mainly on tight bends or roadabouts.

How much weight you got on including rider and pillion. I assume preload maxed out?

 

[sv1000s]

How much weight you got on including rider and pillion. I assume preload maxed out?

Well, the boss is tall, I'm 15 stone plus tent and camping stuff....

 

[CrashOverride]

I had exactly the same situation with my GSA, nearly wore the centrestand out touring europe for 2 weeks took it back to Ocean when we returned to blighty and they fitted a new shock, exactly the same as the old one ordered Wilbers who make them to your spec, weight of yourself plus pillion plus gear, and haven't looked back since, it transformed the bike

 

[sv1000s]

I had exactly the same situation with my GSA, nearly wore the centrestand out touring europe for 2 weeks took it back to Ocean when we returned to blighty and they fitted a new shock, exactly the same as the old one ordered Wilbers who make them to your spec, weight of yourself plus pillion plus gear, and haven't looked back since, it transformed the bike

More bloody money that I don't really have!

 

[oldnfat]

More bloody money that I don't really have!

Look on it more as a loan (ish)...I have Wilbers and they are fantastic....they hold there value well (for an aftermarket item). Quite often Revs racing have some reconditioned that they will set up for your weight. If you can go this route you will get most your money back when you sell.

Cheers

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Trim down the rubber bung that the centre stand rests on when it's up. I cut mine in half, and it pretty much cured the problem.

A solution that costs feck all

 

[sv1000s]

Trim down the rubber bung that the centre stand rests on when it's up. I cut mine in half, and it pretty much cured the problem.

A solution that costs feck all

Yet another free tip!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

You don't need a full suspension set up. I have a Hyperpro compression spring on my ADV which is specific to me. The bike sits a bit higher and the suspension is loads better.

The spring is around £70 so tons cheaper than a new rear unit

 

[Stevie73]

Have you got ESA? I found the springs to be quite soft with ESA so that fully loaded or two up the stand would be always bottoming out.

On the non ESA GS's I had, this is never a problem either fully loaded or two up or both set on full preload and full hard for damping, so I can only summise the springs are rated higher on the non ESA shocks...

 

[sv1000s]

Have you got ESA? I found the springs to be quite soft with ESA so that fully loaded or two up the stand would be always bottoming out.

On the non ESA GS's I had, this is never a problem either fully loaded or two up or both set on full preload and full hard for damping, so I can only summise the springs are rated higher on the non ESA shocks...

No, just a 'normal' 2005 1200GS.

 

[sv1000s]

You don't need a full suspension set up. I have a Hyperpro compression spring on my ADV which is specific to me. The bike sits a bit higher and the suspension is loads better.

The spring is around £70 so tons cheaper than a new rear unit

Did you have them fitted or did you do it yourself?

 

[Neil W]

My 89 week old 2011 model adventure (non esa) now has 3500 miles on the clock and is on its seconde rear shock.

From the start ride was very choppy on the front end and the rear would not set up right.

For 14 stone rider it had to be set well over 1/2 way up the adjustment on preload on on approx 2/3 rds of the rebound to get it to handle right at speed without wallowing. But when you then slowed down to in town speeds the slightest bump kicks you out of the saddle.

Add a pillion and you had to increase the preload again, at low speeds athe damping was fine at 2/3 but pushing on there was always the feeling of a rear end weave about to start as the shock was struggling to cope.

Add luggage and it went all to pot on the rear end, as soon as the shock oil heated up the shock lost all its damping and became like a spacehopper .

The replacement rear unit is to be honest is no better.

The bike just hasn't got the composure of my old 1150 on the road (it had 36,000 miles on the clock before the standards needed overhauled) and because of the handling I am just not enjoying riding it.

I contacted MAXTON last month and their view of the r1200gs series suspension is as follows :

Front

There are no conventional forks on this bike, the front is controlled with a suspension unit. The unit is a very poor quality unit. There are no damper controls that can be adjusted on it. the spring rate is approximately correct. it is not possible to improve on this unit, we can only offer a replacement unit.

Rear

The standard rear unit is again not the best quality. if you are very light(approximately 8 to 9 stone) and do not ride the bike quickly or carry a pillion or liggage , then you may find the standard shock okay. For most people and the average rider weight of around 13 stone the rear shock is far too soft. most people end up running the preload adjuster on 9or close to) the maximum setting. This means that when they take a pillion or luggage the suspension is far too soft.

The damping inside the shock is also very soft. this means that there is no support with the spring or control of the spring that is fitted to the shock. because there is not enough damping in the shock it means that if we respring the standard shock with a harder spring the back of the bike will feel like a 'pogostick'. this could make the ride very unpredictable.

Obviously MAXTON are in the business of selling replacement suspension but I can only agree with their report, and spoke at length with Richard -(he also stated that they supplied loads of replacement shocks for the 1100GS and loads for the 1200gs/GSa models but very few for the 1150 models as BMW/ Showa seemed to get there at together)

To this end I ordered a pair of shocks for my bike made to suit my weight and use of the bike and will be putting the standard shocks away for when I sell it bike. (the rear will have only done 250 miles)

With a fully adjustable for preload and rebound damping shock for the front and a similar unit for the rear with a hydraulic preload fitted it will work out at £1300 and they are due today.

 

[Neil W]

OOPS should read 9 week old on first line

 

[Martyn H]

My 89 week old 2011 model adventure (non esa) now has 3500 miles on the clock and is on its seconde rear shock.

From the start ride was very choppy on the front end and the rear would not set up right.

For 14 stone rider it had to be set well over 1/2 way up the adjustment on preload on on approx 2/3 rds of the rebound to get it to handle right at speed without wallowing. But when you then slowed down to in town speeds the slightest bump kicks you out of the saddle.

Add a pillion and you had to increase the preload again, at low speeds athe damping was fine at 2/3 but pushing on there was always the feeling of a rear end weave about to start as the shock was struggling to cope.

Add luggage and it went all to pot on the rear end, as soon as the shock oil heated up the shock lost all its damping and became like a spacehopper .

The replacement rear unit is to be honest is no better.

The bike just hasn't got the composure of my old 1150 on the road (it had 36,000 miles on the clock before the standards needed overhauled) and because of the handling I am just not enjoying riding it.

I contacted MAXTON last month and their view of the r1200gs series suspension is as follows :

Front

There are no conventional forks on this bike, the front is controlled with a suspension unit. The unit is a very poor quality unit. There are no damper controls that can be adjusted on it. the spring rate is approximately correct. it is not possible to improve on this unit, we can only offer a replacement unit.

Rear

The standard rear unit is again not the best quality. if you are very light(approximately 8 to 9 stone) and do not ride the bike quickly or carry a pillion or liggage , then you may find the standard shock okay. For most people and the average rider weight of around 13 stone the rear shock is far too soft. most people end up running the preload adjuster on 9or close to) the maximum setting. This means that when they take a pillion or luggage the suspension is far too soft.

The damping inside the shock is also very soft. this means that there is no support with the spring or control of the spring that is fitted to the shock. because there is not enough damping in the shock it means that if we respring the standard shock with a harder spring the back of the bike will feel like a 'pogostick'. this could make the ride very unpredictable.

Obviously MAXTON are in the business of selling replacement suspension but I can only agree with their report, and spoke at length with Richard -(he also stated that they supplied loads of replacement shocks for the 1100GS and loads for the 1200gs/GSa models but very few for the 1150 models as BMW/ Showa seemed to get there at together)

To this end I ordered a pair of shocks for my bike made to suit my weight and use of the bike and will be putting the standard shocks away for when I sell it bike. (the rear will have only done 250 miles)

With a fully adjustable for preload and rebound damping shock for the front and a similar unit for the rear with a hydraulic preload fitted it will work out at £1300 and they are due today.

I put Maxtons on my 2001 R1150RT (since sold), & my R2002 1150R (still on "my fleet"), & it made a stupendous difference. Night & day. Beautifully made units, & I'd recommend them as a company to deal with.

 

[cookie]

I can only agree with their report

me too.

...and the idea of paying bmw for the same shit quality units, but with pointless electro/mechanicals attached, was a total non starter when i bought a new 1200.

pity they don't just offer an Ohlins option at purchase IMO.

 

[sv1000s]

I've been down this route with my old track bike which cost me almost as much to make into a track bike as it did to buy new.

I just can't justify spending £1300.